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Windermere Water System Update

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The Regional District of East Kootenay Board of Directors approved $20,000 in Community Works funding for a detailed groundwater analysis and test well program in Windermere.

The possibility of groundwater wells had been considered in the past and eliminated as an option after the consultant’s high level review determined there were too many risks to finding a good groundwater source that close to the lake that wasn’t under the influence of surface water. However, recently there have been two large wells drilled in Invermere and Fairmont and both of those wells have tapped into an aquifer that is not being influenced by surface water. “As we work to find a viable option that the community could support and that meets Interior Health drinking water standards, we felt it was important to do a detailed study on the groundwater well option so that we definitively know whether it is a possibility or not,” says Electoral Area F Director Wendy Booth. The RDEK’s consultant will report on their findings, hopefully by the end of the year.

“Doing this detailed analysis will take approximately six months, so it will mean a further delay in taking an option to the community; however, knowing the importance of this issue I believe we need to have a clear indication of whether this is – or is not – an option before we seek elector assent,” adds Booth. “Staff will be communicating with Interior Health so they are fully aware of where we are in the process and we will continue to keep the community informed.”

New User Fee Schedule
To help build up reserve funds, residential customers on the Windermere Water System will see user fees increase from $24/month to $30/month effective July 1st.

Watering Hours – Windermere
The RDEK has watering hours on all of its water systems.
Having set watering hours conserves water, creates a balance in the system demand and controls costs. Please abide by these watering hours. They are in place for the benefit of your community.